Mamma Mia! Nun Scores a Hit on Italy’s “The Voice” – UPDATED

Sister Cristina Scuccia, a 25-year-old Ursuline Sister of the Holy Family from Milan, Italy has taken that directive to heart. The talented religious won a standing ovation on the blind auditions for The Voice 2, Italy’s popular talent show.

All four of the judges pushed the button that turned their chairs around to face the stage; and their shocked expressions upon seeing a Catholic nun belting out the lyrics of Alicia Keys’ “No One” were priceless.

* * * * *

From childhood, Sister Cristina had wanted to be a singer; and in fact, she placed first in the Good News festival, held in Rome during the Year of Faith.

Cristina had not always wanted to be a nun. In 2008, when the Ursuline Sisters organized a musical to celebrate the centenary of their religious order, her mother learned that they were seeking a lead singer for the new musical about their founding. Cristina tried out, and she was cast in the starring role as Sister Rosa, the order’s foundress.

At the time, Cristina–who had a degree in accounting and was working at a call center–was away from the Church and engaged to be married. She was, she said, “always buzzing inside”, looking for answers in her life. It was during the production of the musical that she resolved her crisis of faith and entered a period of discernment about religious life. You can see what happened: She broke off her engagement and entered the Ursuline Sisters.

“It’s like a tunnel: we come in and it all seems dark, confused. But in the end you expect a beautiful light, a living presence that embraces, which is the hands, voice and breath, as I wrote in my song. Just available to listen, to accept this gift, without being distracted by so much “noise” in the background. To answer the call of Jesus is liberating: it does not disappoint. “

Here is her amazing performance, which aired this week on Italian television. It’s in Italian, so I’m disadvantaged: Can anyone tell me what Sister Cristina says at 7:35 to generate such excitement?

UPDATE: Sister Cristina renews her vows!

Sister Cristina has learned that with fame comes a certain frustration: She and her sisters have been followed by paparazzi since her big win on The Voice Italy, and her community has been harassed by the Italian tabloids.

What hasn’t changed now that she’s a star, though, is her dedication to Christ. On July 29, Sister Cristina renewed her temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at a Rome convent. She will make her final vows in 2018.

She now has a record deal in the works with Universal, although no recording date is scheduled. Sister Cristina certainly accomplished her goal of leading souls to Christ! According to Catholic News Agency:

“It was always very clear, I went (on the show) to send a Christian message,” she told [Italian magazine] Di Piu. After being announced as the winner, Sister Cristina invited the entire studio audience to join her in praying the Our Father. She said she wanted to say the prayer “so that Jesus will be present here.”

I don’t speak Italian, but it looks like the portion of the show where the singer picks which judge she is going to work with going forward.

Christina

She generated excitement at 7:35 because she chose her mentor/team. A rough translation for that part is, “I’m going to go with the first one who turned around.”

Susan Windley-Daoust

This cracked me up. How sweet, and how much joy. Thanks for sharing this.

Andrea Marit Erickson

I wish that I spoke Italian. It would have been so interesting to listen to all that was said after the performance.

Andrea Marit Erickson

Such an awesome performance!

A’Petra Ecc

Andrea, the translation is above 😉

Julie

You can watch it in youtube with the subtitles in English

Barb Frazee

Is there any way we can get a translation of the song?

Jon Fermin

the song’s (“No One” by Alicia Keys) english lyrics are (and if you listen close she is singing it in english with an accent):

I just want you close Where you can stay forever You can be sure That it will only get better

You and me together Through the days and nights I don’t worry ’cause Everything’s gonna be alright

People keep talking They can say what they like But all I know is Everything’s gonna be alright

And no one, no one, no one Can get in the way of what I’m feeling No one, no one, no one Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down And my heart is hurting You will always be around This I know for certain

You and me together Through the days and nights I don’t worry ’cause Everything’s gonna be alright

People keep talking They can say what they like But all I know is Everything’s gonna be alright

No one, no one, no one Can get in the way of what I’m feeling No one, no one, no one Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world To find something like what we have I know people will try, try to divide something so real So till the end of time, I’m telling you that in the world

No one, no one Can get in the way of what I’m feeling No one, no one, no one Can get in the way of what I feel for you Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh(3x)

http://jacobconstantine.com/ Jāco

Wow. Not sure if anyone is able to pick up that she’s singing those words to her Saviour – but fitting lyrics for a Bride of Christ.

As for those judges – yikes!

rjh

Oh dear…wasn’t one singing nun enough? “Pulled between two worlds and increasingly in disagreement with the Catholic Church, she left the convent in 1966…became increasingly critical of Catholic doctrines and eventually became a public advocate for contraception, including release of a single entitled “Glory Be to God for the Golden Pill” She and her long-term companion “committed suicide by an overdose of barbiturates and alcohol on 29 March 1985.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singing_Nun

Jon Fermin

really it appears the only thing these two have in common is they are singing nuns. its an unrealistic leap of logic to assume this nun will become like the infamous belgian singing nun. after all I know of plenty of heretical sisters who don’t sing pop songs. and plenty of devout sisters who do (within the bounds of prudence, which this case falls within)

rjh

Those judges look like something the bowels of Hell just threw up. I’ll pass, thanks.

A’Petra Ecc

2:40 Raffaella: “good evening, sister” Cristina: “good evening” Raffaella:” How old are you?” Cris: I’m 25, I’m “Suor Cristina” Raffaella: Where are you from? C: I’m from Sicily Raffaella: Listen, Cristina. But, are you really a nun or.. C: I’m a VERY TRUE NUN! Raffaella: “It’s not possible!! (/i can’t believe!) How did you came to mind to come at THE VOICE? 3: 16 Cristina: “Well, I have a gift, i’ll give it to you.” Piero: “thank you!” [..] J-ax: “Hella Sister! You are the Sister, i’m the uncle! Do you sing in church on Sunday?” Cristina: of course! J-ax: (jokes) if you sing in church with the donations they can avoid pay taxes.. and if I found you as a child when i went to church on sunday, now i would be pope! I would have continue to attend it! [..] 4:56 You and I are invincible, do you know why? You are the holy water, i’m the devil! You must come with me!” [..] Noemi: 5:18 when i turned i thought to have a vision problem. [..] Hey, i’m a holy water like you, we are a perfect duet! Don’t choose the devils! J-ax: “we are little devils!” Raffaella: “i’m not a devil, eh!” Noemi: “choose the holy water!!” 5:51 Raffaella: ” but in you opinion, what they says in Vatican because you came to The Voice.” Cristina: “Ah, I don’t know, i expect the phone call from pope Francis, certainly. 6:03 Cristina: because the pope invite us to go outside to evangelize, to say that God takes nothing, rather, gives us even more!! That’s why I’m here! Raffaella: Brava! [..] Piero: (jokes) I didn’t understand if they put pills in my glass.. because i’m not awake, yet. I’m pinching myself. You are incredible!! You have a crazy energy! He stole me the jokes of the devil and the holy water, so i can’t make it, but do you imagine what will be if we would be in the same team? Cristina: Yaaaa! Will be beautiful!! 7:01 Piero: Pope Francis, really, he would find you everywhere! Cristina! You are called like my mom! With me you are fine! Cristina: now the choice is difficult! [..] 7:33 Cristina: I said to myself that i would go with the first one that turned so.. i chose J-Ax!

Sorry my bad english!!!

http://jacobconstantine.com/ Jāco

Thank you for that translation! It really puts everything in perspective. I’m not at all surprised she would resolve to pick the first one to turn their chair.

http://rvf0068.github.io/ Rafael

Thanks, really!

Tony

Thank you for translation!

Erlijntje Villarin

I AM SO HAPPY FOR HER AND THE CONGREGATION URSULENEN, THAT SISTER HAVE A GREAT TALENT AND SHE SHARE TO US..A GIFT THAT GOD GIVE TO HER.. SHE HAS A NICE A TALENT. HOPE SHE USE THIS TALENT TO THE PEOPLE WHOLE WORLD. HOPE SHE CONTINUE HER VOCATION, SHE IS A TRUE NUN HER SPOUSE IS JESUS CHRIST..AMEN

Erlijntje Villarin

I AM SO HAPPY FOR HER AND THE CONGREGATION URSULENEN, THAT SISTER HAVE A GREAT TALENT AND SHE SHARE TO US..A GIFT THAT GOD GIVE TO HER.. SHE HAS A TALENT. HOPE SHE USE THIS TALENT TO THE PEOPLE WHOLE WORLD. HOPE SHE CONTINUE HER VOCATION, SHE IS A TRUE NUN HER SPOUSE IS JESUS CHRIST..AMEN

gracem

thought it was awful……..especially the judges. God help us.

Erica

thank goodness for the closed captions!

KRM53

You can also turn on Closed Caption to see what they are saying.

Ces

Hi, you can turn on close captioning in English on the original youtube video. Nipo need to struggle! It’s worth re-watching it!

chipleinen

If you watch on YouTube, you can enable English closed captioning to watch as you go through it. Just click on the YouTube logo in the video to open on YouTube’s site.

Mary E.

I’m waiting for her album to come out–hope it’s not too long of a wait.